Companies merge for healthy future

MANCHESTER-based medical cash plan provider HealthSure has merged with healthcare mutual HSA. HealthSure's 100 staff will be kept on and the firm will retain its brand identity and Lever Street headquarters.

HealthSure's 100 staff will be kept on and the firm will retain its brand identity and Lever Street headquarters.

Under the terms of the merger, which was agreed at HealthSure's EGM but is still subject to FSA approval, group chief executive Richard Sear will assume extra responsibility for HSA's northern-based operations in Leeds.

"HealthSure has experienced 10 years of continued growth and success and this merger means we will continue to meet policyholders' rapidly changing needs.

"As part of the larger group, we remain true to our mutual principles, drawing on the strengths and additional resources the group can provide while remaining free to respond to needs of customers."

HealthSure was formed in 1999 following the merger of Manchester and Salford Hospital Saturday Fund, Hospitals Guild of Northampton and Anglia Healthcare. But its origins date back to 1872 when the Manchester and Salford fund was set up to support voluntary hospitals to treat the poor.

Treatments

Now, the sector focuses on providing cash towards the cost of everyday treatments, such as dental and optical care, as well as physiotherapy and alternative therapies.

The group turns over é20.1m and provides cover for more than 250,000 private policyholders and corporate clients, many in the north west. HealthSure is an official backer of the M.E.N.-sponsored UK Corporate Games, which starts in Manchester on June 10.

Hampshire-based HSA, founded during the 1920s as the Hospital Savings Association, has annual sales of é218.6m and employs more than 800 staff. It was voted the 13th best company to work for in this year's Times survey.

HSA chief executive Des Benjamin said: "This bringing together of two strong mutuals in a new larger organisation will allow more customers to benefit from our shared values, through our greater scale and efficiency."